CBP Updates its Comprehensive FAQ on ACE

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its comprehensive document on the Automated Commercial Environment entitled "ACE Frequently Asked Questions."

CBP notes that very few problems that users encounter are entirely new. This FAQ collects numerous often-asked questions and answers about the ACE system and its application into a single document.

FAQ Shortened, Irrelevant/Outdated Information Removed

The FAQ document has been shortened -- it is now 79 pages and the previous version was 126 pages. According to CBP sources, certain sections of the document were removed as they contained irrelevant or outdated information.

FAQ Questions are Now Divided into Ten Categories

CBP states that the questions are divided into ten categories for ease of reference:

• Systems Background
• Automated Broker Interface (ABI)
• General
• Application
• Cargo System Messaging Service
• Carriers -- General Information
• e-Manifest Information
• Entry Summary, Accounts, and Revenue
• Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS)
• Reports

Portal Usage, e-Manifest, CCR Sections Removed

The following sections have been removed from the FAQ document:

• Portal Usage -- Business Activity Log (BAL)
• Portal Usage -- Bond
• Filing and e-Manifest*
• Mandatory e-Manifest Policy*
• e-Manifest -- General Information*
• Cargo Control and Release (CCR)

*Note that the e-Manifest -- Overview section is still in the updated version of the FAQ document.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/27/06 news, 06122705, for BP summary of CBP's original FAQ.

See ITT's Online Archives or 09/04/08 news, 08090405, for BP summary of the previous updated version of CBP's ACE FAQ.)